Three Songs for Courage - Softcover

Trottier, Maxine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0887768318 ISBN 13: 9780887768316

Publisher: Tundra Books, 2008

Synopsis

In this powerful novel for mature readers, Maxine Trottier transports the reader to the summer of 1956, and the small town of Erie View, a haven for teenagers. Summer jobs are plentiful, and there’s always action on the beach or the main drag. Life is cool. But Erie View is a town of shifting layers. They drift by turns, scarcely touching, then jarring painfully: fathers and grandfathers try to adjust to quiet lives after an eternity of action overseas, women struggle to remake marriages and return to their kitchens, and teenagers with far too much freedom live the secret lives of youth.

This is sixteen-year-old Gordon Westley’s world. But it’s about to change once tragedy strikes his family and forces Gordon to explore the darkest, as well as the sweetest, side of human emotions.

Part mystery, part love story, acclaimed author Maxine Trottier weaves a spellbinding portrait of small-town Ontario dealing with its loss of innocence and coming of age in a changed world.

About this title

About the Author

Maxine Trottier is a prolific writer of children’s picture books and historical fiction. Her Métis roots reach back to Fort Detroit in the mid-18th century. She was born in Michigan, then moved to Windsor in Canada. Maxine spent thirty-one years in classrooms guiding children towards literacy, and since then has written many books and won numerous awards. Maxine Trottier is the author of numerous acclaimed children’s books including The Tiny Kite of Eddie Wing (1996 CLA Book of the Year for Children) and Claire’s Gift which won the 2000 Mr. Christie’s Book Award. She has even had a day named in her honor: “Maxine Trottier Day” was declared on May 25, by the Michigan State Legislature to honor her work as a writer and educator. Maxine lives with her husband on the shores of Lake Erie.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–Its the summer of 1956 in a small town on the shores of Lake Erie in Ontario, a pivotal time for 16-year-old Gordon Westley. His ride is polished, his girl is gorgeous, and his buddies are on hand for support against the town bully, Lancer Caldwell, and his two sidekicks. Jaunts to the movies and the beach, delivering groceries, hot dates, and doing chores at home are vividly portrayed with a mixture of witty dialogue and surprising metaphors. The adults around are distracted and drinking martinis, but lay down the rules, too, as the events teeter between humor and gut-wrenching tragedy. Injun Joely, who lives and works at the pool hall, develops as Gordons mentor as the intensity of events increases. Some readers will appreciate the wit and enjoy the laughs, even as it is clearly telegraphed that pain and heartache are ahead. The expert pacing makes this standout historical fiction, especially for guys, as it starts by having Gordon trying to emulate Jimmy Dean in Rebel without a Cause and ends with the wisdom of the ages.–Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO
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About this edition

• Publisher: Tundra Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0887768318
• ISBN 13: 9780887768316
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 328